Automatic musical instrument



if IO, 1928.

c. F. sToDDARD' AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed March 12, 1924 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Apr. l0, 1928.

UNITEDv vSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. STODDARD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN PIANO COM-PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A, CORPORATION 0F kNEW JERSEY. i

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application led March 12, 1924. Serial No. 698,599.

This invention relates to automatic musical instruments such forinstance as pianos; and it pertains more particularly to expressiondevices for vsuch instruments,r or to means for governing playingintensities.

Among other objects, the invention is intended to provide apparatuscapable of reproducing with great fidelity the manual performances ofpianists and to reenact interpretations of musical compositions asrendered by Well known artists of ability.

It is an object of this invention not only to reproduce accurately thevarious gradations of dynamic force with which the notes of a musicalcomposition are sounded, but also to reflect the mood and spirit of themanual performer, and thereby to give life and contrast to themechanical rendition which shall make it approximate manual renditioneven moreV closely than has been possible before.

It is a further object to embody the ininvention in apparatus which isvery simple and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

For illustration, the accompanying drawings show one practicalembodiment of the invention employing suitable pneumatically governeddevices in cooperation with a piano action; but, as will appear to thoseskilled in the art., the invention is susceptible of embodiment invarious constructions and organizations other than that particularlyshown and described herein. It will appear likewise that it is notindispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly,since their respective substantial advantages may accrue from theirseparate application in any practicable manner to a suitable playingintensity.

Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a side elevation ot' the source of pneumatic power, partsot' the apparatus being broken away and parts being shown in section tobetter disclose the construction and operation.

Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are side elevations ot' a portion of the apparatusshowing the parts under various operating conditions.

Referring to the drawings, a striker or player pneumatic l is providedhaving a vtrolling valves and pneumatics may sticker 2te act upon aWippen 3 and thereby operate the usual piano action, as is Wellunderstood in the art. A Wind trunk 7 leads to a Wind chest for themotor pneumatics, each of Which has a secondary valve 8 controlled by aprimary valve 9 operated from a tracker board 10 through a duct 11 inthe usual manner.

The Wind trunk 7 communicates With a regulated Wind chest 12. A highexhaust chest 14, arranged for Vcommunication with the chest 12, may beconnected by a trunk 15 With a. source of pneumatic exhaust 16 whichWillrbe more particularly described hereinafter.

It is to be understood in the following description that Where the termpressure is used, pressures in their absolute sense are referredto,*that is, relative to zero pressure or absolute vacuum as a base.HOW- ever, due to the fact that sub-atmospheric pressures are commonlymeasured on a Water-gauge, Which assumes atmospheric pressure as a basevalue, the term exhaust7 Will be used at times, to avoid confusion, inits normal sense of vacuum or subatmospheric pressure. Thus, highexhaust is high vacuum, or low pressure; and as exhaust increases,pressure decreases and conversely.

In the illustrative apparatus of the drawings, the striker pneumatics 1rmay be operated by the exhaust/in the regulated eX` haust chest 12. Inorder to vary the operation of the striker pneumatics to thereby varyplaying intensities, this regulated exhaust may be varied by subjectingit more or less to the influence of high exhaust in chest 14. For thispurpose there has been provided between the high exhaust chest 14 andthe regulated exhaust chest 12, va port 30 controlled by throttle valve31.

For purposes of simplicity of description, a single regulated exhaustchest has been illustrated vwhich controls the pressures 4throughout theaction chest of the piano.

As Will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, the actionchest of automatic musical instruments is frequently divided into bassand treble sections, in which case a separat-e regulated exhaust chestand conbe provided for each section in the usual manner.

The valve 3l may be operated by a variety lll of different means. lnthis specific apparatus there has been selected for purposes ofillustration `the apparatus disclosed and described in a prior patent toCharles F. Stoddard, No. 1,409,492, patented March le, i922. Y Y

As set forth in the aforementioned patent, apparatus embodying theinvention disclosed therein has a three-fold capacity for controllingthe valve 3l. lt produces automatically incremental changes in playingintensities; it performs a regulating functiom-that is, it maintains anygiven playing intensity whether one or many notes be sounded; and itproduces autoniatically continuously progressive changes in playingintensities for the purposes of producing crescendo and diminuendoeffects.

As also set forth in the aforementioned patent, in the operation of the`specific illustrative apparatus the board 3B and valve 3l areconstant-ly under the control of opposed forces tending always tobalance each other and-hold the valve 31, as it were, in suspensionbetween them; that to say, the specific apparatus tends constantly toestablish a balancing equation between the opposed forces acting uponthe valre 8l. Such movement of the valve 3l as may occur when thatbalancing equation is disturbed taires place practically new balancingequation appropriate to the newly initiated conditions is immediatelyset up.

The'aotu-al variation of regulated pressure may result from a number ofcauses, or a combination of causes, .such that the valve 31 may or maynot be moved to assist in a reestablishment of the pressure equationabove referred to, which holds the valve in balance.

*While it is preferable with such apparatus that the means of thepresent inif'ention is combined, yet it will be apparent that otherapparatus having any one or all of the capacities of the apparatus ofthe aforesaid patent may be combined therewith toV advantage. A s thedescription proceeds, it will be obvious that the invention is notdependent upon the specific details of construction or the specific modeof operation of the apparatus herein described, but that it resides aswell in the broad underlying concepts which will be referred to moreparticularly hereinafter.

For the purposes of the present description it may be assimiedtemporarily that the valve 3l is being held in equilibrium by theopposed forces before mentioned. In the aforementioned patent it vwasassumed that high exhaust was maintained at a substantially constantlevel during the operation of the instrument. The present invention,however, concerns itself with not only maintaining high eilhaust at asubstantially constant level when so desired, but also withinstantaneously so that a Leonesa varying the degree of exhaust appliedto the high exhaustchest 14,

Before proceeding to a `consideration of the specific means employed toaccomplish this purpose, it `may be convenient to consider the effectthat such variations i-n vhigh exhaust will have Aon playingintensities.

' ln the aforementioned patent it was explained that the pneumaticforces acting on the valve 3l might be resolved into two grou-ps ofopposed forces, those tending to give an upward pull to the valve, andthose tending to give a downward pull to the valveu The forces tendingto give a downward pull to the valve consisted of the differentialbetween atmospheric pressure on the top of the board 33 and the lesserregulated pressure in one or more of the pneumatics, plus the pressureof high ezrhaust in the chest lll acting ontlie area of the valve A3litself. rllheforces exerting an upward pull consistedof the forceexerted by the pneumatic 37, plus the force of the regulated pressure inthe chest l2 on the area. of the valve. rlhe regulated pressure vbeinggreater, it predominates and the resultant effect upon the valve areaitself is an upward pressure which combines with the resultant of thepressure in the several pneumatics to vcontrol the valve 3l,

ln any `such system wherein the pressure of high exhaust constitutes afactor in such a pressure equation, and assuming temporarily that theoperative of the vvarious pneumatics remain constant, it will beapparent that if the pressure of high vexhaust is changed, areestablishment of the` pressure equation above referred to mustnecessarily result and the pressure of regulated exhaust must alsochange. For instance, assuming that an exhaust represented by a watergauge pressure of twenty inches be considered as normal exhaust, if theexhaust is decreased to say-twelve inches, regulated exhaust must alsodecrease in order to maintain the pressure equation and the valve in abalanced conditi-on. Conversely, if highV exhaust be increased fromtwenty inches to sayrthirty inches on the waiter gauge, regulatedexhaustmust be increased in order to maintain the pressure equation and thevalve in balanced condition. 1 i

Such fluctuations in the pressure of high exhaust may or may not resultin movement of the valve 3l. Normally, that is, when the valve is inequilibrium, and none of the motor pneumatics l are being operated tosound the notes of the piano, a decrease in the degree of high exhaustfrom twenty inches to ten inches would be accompanied by a closingmovement of the valve 3l to prevent the passage of some of the air fromthe regulated exhaust chest in order to decrease the exhaust therein. @nthe other hand, `if at the-same time that high exhaust lle was beingdecreased, a large number of motor pneumatics 1 werebeing operated andthus admitting a quantity of atmospheric air to the regulated exhaustchest 12, such closing movement o1 the valve 31 would be minimized oreven prevented entirely. yUnder extreme conditions, indeed, it ispossible that an opening movement might be necessary.

C0nversely,. under normal conditions it high exhaust is increased, thevalve 3l would normally tend to au opening movement, although this againmight be negatived by a sudden decrease in the number oi motorpneumatics being operated.

To sum up, an increase in the pressure of high exhaust causes anincrease in the pressure ot regulated exhaust and a decrease in thepressure ot high exhaust causes a decrease in the pressure et regulatedexhaust. And these changes in the pressure of regulated exhaust, it willhe observed, occurl throughout the entire range oi playing intensities.That is, whatever the pressure of regulated exhaust may be, a. change inthe pressure of high exhaust will cause a change in the pressure ofregulated exhaust.

For instance, for conve icnce oldescription and explanation it may beassumed that the playing intensities determined by the crescendo,diminuendo and incremental or step change mechanism could he measured byan imaginary scale upon which the numeral 5 would indicate the lowestplaying intensity, while the numeral 20 .vould indicate the loudestplaying intensity when high exhaust is being maintained at twentyinches. Therefore, incremental, crescendo and diminuendo changes will beellected within the compass of this scale :trom 5 to 20. For inst-ance,it may be assumed that the seven steps would tix the ditferent playingintensities respectively at 5, 5.7, 6.7, S, 10.8, 16.5 and 20.

It may further be assumed that a criscendo may be inaugurated when theplaying intensity is fixed at any one ot the seven points in the scaleexcept the last, and will in operation, it continued long enough, raisethe playing intensities at a greater or less speed as may be determinedby the apparatus, from the point at which it is inaugurated to thehighest intensity.

Thereafter a diminuendo operation may be inaugurated to decrease playingintensities to any point determined by the step change mechanism.

If now high exhaust be decreased trom twenty to twelve inches regulatedexhaust would be decreased and playing intensities thereby decreasedthroughout the entire range of the imaginary scale. For instance, thelowest normal intensity 5 on the imaginary scale would be decreased to 4and the normal intensity of 5.7 would be decreased to 4.5 and so on, sothat the new scale of playing intensities might be represented by 4,1.5, 5, 0.2, 8.2, 11.7 and 12.

On the other hand, if high exhaust is increased trom twenty to saytwenty-tive and one halt inches, regulated exhaust would becorrespondingly increased and playing intensities increased. Forinstance, the imaginary scale under these conditions may be as i'ollows:5.5, (5.5, 7.7, 9.5, 12.7, 19 and 25.5. Similarly, further increase inhigh exhaust would result in Afurther increase in playing intensities,as tor instance, it high exhaust be increased to thirty-live and onehall' inches, the imaginary scale might be as follows: 7.7, 8.7 10, l2,10, 24 and 35.5.

Obviously, the Yforegoing figures are presented herein 'for illustrativepurposes only,

it being desired merely to show that thev change in the pressure of highexhaust tends to change. the entire range of playing in-l tensities.

ln the 'in'estuit embodiment, means have- 1 bellows being urged towardopen position by means oi' a leat spring 200.

The exhaust chamber 202 ot the pump is also in tree communication with avalve chamber 210 formed in the block 211 by means of a passage .212. Avalve 213 is mounted on a valve stem 214i and is held in positionagainst the valve seat 215 by means i ot a helical spring 210. VFreepassage ot atmosphericair is permitted to the valve chamber 210 when thevalve is open through the passages 217 and 21S, the passage 2.18 beingopen to atmosphere in the interior ot the pump, itl beimy understoodthat the interior is constantly open to atmospheric air through openings221. Pieces of felt 219 and 220 may be inserted in passages 217 and 218respectively to mull'lo the sound ot air passing through the passages.

Vhcn the motor 225 is started to operate the source ot' pneumatic power16, air is withdrawn in a well-known manner by 'tour bellows 220,thereby redrcing the pressure and creating a. partial vacuum in thecxhaust chamber 202. which exhaust comnumicated to the high exhaustchest 14- through the passage 15 as betere set torth.

ll it is assumed tor 'the moment that no movement ot the valve takesplace, operation ot' the pump will produce the highest exhaust withinthe capacity ot the pump. It will be apparent, however, that movement otthe valve 213 away from its seat will permit the flow of atmospheric airinto the exhaust chamber 202 to thereby reduce the degree of highexhaust. It will also be oliserved'that exhaust in the exhaust chamber202 will also tend to collapse the regulator pneumatic 201 against thetorce ot its spring 200, the greater the exhaust in the chamber 202, thezgreater being the collapse ot the pneumatic 201.

Neglecting lor the n'ioinent the specific form oit connection betweenthe regulator bellows 201 and the valve stem 214:, and assun'iing,l thatsome direct connection is present, it will he apparent that closingmovement oli the pneumatic 201 will more the valve 213 away from itsseat to admit atmospheric air to the exhaust chamber 202.

The effect ot this action will be to maintain the pressure in theexhaust chamber 202 at a substantially constant level. It the degree otexhaust tends to increase, the regulator pneumatic 201 will tend tocollapse and due to its connection with the valve stem. 21d, the valve213 will admit atmospheric air to the chamber 202 to thereby tend todecreaf-:e the degree ot exhaust. Conversely, it the exhaust in theexhaust chamber 202- tenos to decrease, the regulator pneumatic 201 willmovable leaf 205 of the regulator pi'ieuniatic with the valve stem 214,such means comprising preferably means tor varyinpl the oper-- ativerelationship therebetween in order to secure varying effects.

Pneuniatics 230 and 231 are mounted on the movable leali 205 oftheregulator pneumatic 201, and the pneumatic 231 is provided with anabutment 232 which projects upwardly into position 'for engagement witha collar mounted on the valve stem 2113;. The valve stem 214- mayconveniently be pivoted as at 23d. The pneiunatic 201 provided with alimit stop which is ixed to a board 20/-1 and extends over and engagesVthe outer :tace ot the movable board 205. 1 limit stop 230 is alsoprovided for the pneumatic 230 which is fixed to the lea-i" 205 andextends over and engages the outer tace ot' t-he leaf 237 by means of anadjustable screw 238. A limit stop 239 is also provided tor thepneumatic 231 which is iixed to the leat inea-see 20 andV extends-overand engages the leaf 237 by means of an adjustable screw 241. rlheextent ot movement ot each of the pneumatics 230 and 231 may beconveniently .adjusted by the set screws 233 and 241.

l/Vhenthe pneumatics 230fand 231 are in expanded condition, thelimitstops 236 and 239 canse the leaf 2'-l0 to move with the leait 205of the regulator bellows 201 and tiransmit motion ot the leaf 205 to thevalve stein 21d as soon as the regulator pneumatic 201 is suthcientlycollapsed to cause the abutment 232 to engage the collar 233. VWhen bothot the pneumatics 230 and 231 are in expandedk condition, thisengagement will not occur until the regulator pneumatic 201 is nearlycollapsed as illustrateil in Figifire 1. On 'the other hand, when thebellows 230 and 231 are both collapsed, a jvery slight movement ot theregulator bellows may cause such engagement illustrated in Figure Byproviding bellows 230 and 231 with diilerent opening movements, twodifterent intermediate positions may be secured as illustrated inFigures 5 and 6 in which, as there illustrated, engagement between theabutment 232 and the collar 233 will occur in two dil'- i'erentpositions of the leaf 205.

ln each ot 'these positions ot the regulator bellows 201 differentcondition ot equilibriuni will be set up due to the tact that in eachposition the spring` 206 exerts a dillferent opening force on thc leaf205. In its wide open position, as in Figure 3, the spring exerts itsleast degree ot' pressure, while in its closed position as illustratedin liigure 4l the spring being under a greater degree ot compressionexerts a greater force.

rlhe result of such operations on the pressures in the exhaust chamber202 will now be apparent. llllhen the pneumatics 230 and 231 are causedto assume the position of Figure 3, the degree of exhaust in the exhaustchest 202 will be at a minimum, and conversely, when the pneumatics 230and 231 are caused to assume the position ot Figure 4f, the degree otexhaust in the exhaust chest 202 will be at its highest level. 'When thepneumatics are caused to assume the positions of Figures 5 and 6,intermediate pressures are secured inthe exhaust chest 202. ln any oneot the tour positions illustrated the regulator bellows 201, of course,will control the valve 213 to maintain the pressure established at asubstantially constant'level, and it will continue to do so until achange in the positions of the pneumatics 230 and 231 causes a newcondition otl equilibriumtoy be set up.

Means are provided for controlling` the operation oi the bellows 230 and231 automatically from the tracker bar. Referring to Figure 1, a valveblock 250 is provided in which are mounted an out-side valve 251 and aninside valve 252 which may be operated (itl by diaphragme 253 and 254respectively. An exhaust chamber 255 is provided which is constantlymaintained under exhaust by means of the passage 256 connected to theexhaust chamber 202. Then the valves are in their normal seatedposition, as illustrated in Figure 1, the passage 257 to the pneumatic230 is open to atmospheric air through the port 258 and the pneumatic230 remains therefore in expanded condition. On the other hand, thepassage 259 is subjected to exhaust from the exhaust chamber 255 and thepneumatic 231 therefore is normally maintained in collapsed position.

The normal position, therefore, of the pneumatics will be as illustratedin Figure 5, and the normal degree of exhaust in the exhaust chamber 202will be at the first step above its minimum. If, under these conditions,atmospheric air is admitted to the diaphragm chamber 261 through thepassage 262. the valve 252 will be raised cutting off the passage ofatmospheric air through the port 258 and allowing suction through thepassage 263 to collapse the pneumatic 230. Under these conditions thepneumatics assume the position of Figure 3, both of the pneumatics 23()and 231 being collapsed, and the degree of exhaust in the exhaustchamber 202 will be at a minimum.

If, under these conditions, atmospheric air is admitted to the diaphragmchamber 265 through the passage 266, valve 251 will be raised, exhaustfrom the vchamber 255 will be cut off, and atmospheric air will beallowed to enter the pneumatic 231 through the port 267 to therebyexpand the pneumatic. The pneumatics will then assume the position ofFigure 6 and the degree of exhaust in the chamber 202 will be somewhatincreased. By manipulation of the valves 251 and 252 through theadmission of atn'rospheric air to the passages 262 and 266 thepueumatics 230 and 231 may be controlled at will to cause them to assumethe positions of Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 to thereby establish and maintainvarying degrees of exhaust in the high exhaust chest 14 as before setforth.

The valves 251. and 252 are in effect secondary valves and may beconveniently controlled b v primary `valves 270 and 270a mounted invalve chests 271 and 271e. Sin"c these valve mechanisms are duplicatesonly one will be described in detail herein. The valve 270 is normallyseated to cover the port 272 to prevent the admission of atmospheric airto the passage 266. Movement of the valve is controlled by a diaphragm273 which is operated by the admission of atmospheric air to thediaphragm chamber 274 through the duct 275 to the tracker bar. Whenatmospheric air is admitted to the duct 275 by the uncovera Aing oF thetracker vent 276 through an opere ing in the note sheet, the valve 270is raised and atmospheric air is admitted to the duct 266 to operate thesecondary valve.

When the valve 270 is once open by venting the tracker duct 275, thevalve preferably continues open even though the tracker vent' may beimmediately closed. In the specific apparatus this results from the factthat simultaneously with the operation of the valve 270, atmospheric airis admitted past the valve 27 0 to a duct 277 through a bleeder vent 278and through the duct 279` to the diaphragm chamber 274. The chamber 280is connected to high exhaust through the passage 281 and the continuedadmission of atmospheric air through the duct 279 to the diaphragmchamber 274 will cause the valve 270 to remain in raised position.

From the preceding description it will be apparent that smallperforations in a music sheet may be employed to open the tracker vents276 and 276at which may be immediately closed if desired.

In order to nullify the action just described and to cause the valve 270to again seat, the valve 285, controlled by the diaphragm 286, may beoperated. If valve 285 is raised, the continued passage of atmosphericair to the diaphragm chamber 274 is prevented due to the closing ofcommunication between ducts 277 and 279 and the valve 27() immediatelydrops back to its seat.

As has been described in Patent N o. r1,409,- 492 before referred to, asingle cancel valve 84 is provided to cancel the effects caused bysetting the valves 58, 58a and 58b through the admission of atmosphericair to the duct 86. In the present embodiment this feature has beencombined with the present apparatus to cause the cancel valve 84 toreturn the valves 270 and 27 0 to normal position. Duct 287 is providedopening into the chan nel 86, the result being that when the valve 84 israised to admit atmospheric air to the duct 86, the valve 285 isoperated to cause the valve 270 to return to normal position. lVhen theduct 86 is subjected to exhaust, valve 285 remains in seated position.

The operation of the apparatus will be apparent from the foregoingdescription. To sum up, however',l valves 270 and 270a are controlled byopenings in the note sheet to operate .the pneumatics 230 and 231 tocause varying pressures to be established in the chamber 202 and in thehigh exhaust chest 14. Such pressures, when established, are maintainedat a substantially uniform level by the regulating action of theregulator bellows 201. In normal operation, that is, with tracker vents276 and 27 6a both closed, the pressure of the exhaust may convenientlybe maintained at an intermediate level in order that pressures bothbelow and above (lil this level may be established by proper open-- ingsin the note sheet. Such changes in pressure being established in thehigh exhaust chest also effect changes in playing intensities as beforedescribed. The step change mechanisms, however, `operated by the bellows3l, 35 and 3G, and the crescendo apparatus, however, maintain theirrespective capacities to produce step changes and crescendo changesWhatever 'the pressure established in the high exhaust chest may be. Thestep changes and the crescendo changes established, however, will varydepending on the particular pressure established in the high exhaustchest as ivill be understood.

The capacity of the apparatus to produce variation in tone intensitiesin the instrument, it 'will be observed, has a Wide range. Forinstance,rin the .illustrative prior art apparatus forming a part of thepresent combination, it was possible to obtain a scale of seven gradesor steps of playing intensitics, Whereas With the present apparatus itis possible to obtain four different scales of seven grades or steps. ltis furthermore possible with the apparatus herein described to shiftimmediately from one range of playing intensities to a diii'erent rangeas for instance from an imaginary scale of intensities ranging from l tol2 to another range from 7% to The similarity of this capacity to actualplaying conditions in the rendition of musical compositions manually maybe mentioned. ln manual playing the performer, when playing a forte orfortissimo passage, 'frequently assumes, y either consciously orunconsciously, an attitude of tenseneffss, and While various grades oftone intensities may be noticed as the passage proceeds, as for instancethe melody notes may stand out more prominently than the accompanimentnotes, yet in general the rendition is characterized by brilliance orcontrast. Similarly, when 'the performer is playing` a piano orpianissimo passage the pervading spirit is that of delicacy even thoughcertain notes may stand out above the others. Se, in the operation ofthe present apparatus, when the degree of exhaust in the high exhaustchest is increased, a feeling of tenseness may be observed and thegeneral range of tone intensities gives brilliance to the performanceeven though through the operation of the step mechanism some of thenotes may be sounded more softly. Similarly, when the degree of exhaustin the high exhaust chest is decreased, a feeling of delicacy andmoderation may be sensed and the general range of tone intensities issoft although certain notes may stand out above the others.

The foregoing is merely set forth as representative of one of thecapacities ol: the apparatus, although as will be apparentto thoseskilled in they art, other eifects maybe 1,ee5,ses

produced in playing either due to the capacity of the apparatus itselfor to its combination With the prior art structure.

lt is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theembodiment herein shown and described for purposes of illustration, butthat on vthe contrary it may be variously modified and embodied Withinthe scope of the subjoined claims.

l claim as my invention:

l. ln an automatic musical having player pneuinatics and a sourceofpneum tic power, in combination, means to govern the press re applied tosaid'player pne'umatics by said source of power to thereby governplaying intensities including a regulator responsive to changes inpressure applied thereto by said Source of power, and means to vary byperceptible increments the pressure applied to said governing` means ysaid source of power to thereby additionally govern playing intensities.

Q. ln an automatic musical instrun'ient having player pneun'iatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics by said source Vof power te therebygovern playing intensities including a regulator resi onsive 'te changesin pressure applied thereto by said source of power, and traclrorcontrolled means to vary by perceptible increments the pressure appliedto said governing means by said source ofpovver to therebyadditioi'ially govern playing intensities`- S. ln an automatic musicalinstrument having player pneumatics and a source of pneumatic power, incombination, means to govern the pressure applied to said playerpneumatics by said source of power to thereby govern playing intent tiesincluding a regulator responsive to changes in pressure applied thereto,and means t vary by perceptible increments the pressure produced by saidsource of power to thereby additionally govern playing intensities.

4,-. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics by said souriice of povvcr tetherebygovern playing intensities including a regulator` responsive to changesin pressure applied thereto, and tracker controlled means to vary byperceptible increments the pressure produced by said source of power tothereby additionally govern playing intensities. f

5. ln an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics andasource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of'p'laying intensities; and means 'to vary byperceptible increments the pressure applied to said pressurevaryinstrument Sti ing means to thereby vary incrementally theestablished scale of playing intensities.

6. In an automatic musical :instrument having` player pneumatics and asource ot pneumatic power, in combination, means to Vary by perceptibleincrements the pre. u applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities; and tracker controlled meansto vary by perceptible increments the pressure applied to said pressurevarying means to thereby vary incrementally the established scale orplaying intensities.

7 In an automatic musi lal instrument having player pneumatics and asource ol pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said plaver pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale o playing intensities; and means to var f byperceptible increments the pressure proc uced by said source ot power tothereby vary incrementally the established scale of playing intensities.

8. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource ot pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities; means to vary by substantiallycontinuous progression from any point in said scale the pressure appliedto said player pneumatics; and means to vary the pressure produced bysaid source of power by perceptible increments to thereby varyincrementally the established scale of playing intensities.

9. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities; means to vary by substantiallycontinuous progression fromv any point in said scale the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics; and tracker controlled means to varythe pressure produced by said source of power by perceptible incrementsto thereby vary incrementally the established scale of playingintensities.

vl0. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource ot pneumatic power, in combination7 means to govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics to thereby govern playing'intensities; means to govern the pressure applied to said governingmeans to thereby additionally govern playing intensities, comprising aregulator pneumatic having free pneumatic communication with said sourceof power, and auxiliary means having pneumatic communication with saidsource of power to control the effective operation of said regulatorpneumatic.

ll. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means io govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics to thereby govern playing intensities;means to govern the pressure applied to said governing means to therebyadditionally govern playing` intensities, comprising a regulatorpneumatic having free pneumatic communication with said source of power,and auxiliary means having tracker controlled pneumatic communicationwith said source of power to control the efectlive operation of saidregulator pneumatic.

12. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource ot pneumatic power, in combination, means to govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics to thereby govern playing intensities;means to govern the pressure applied to said governing means to therebyadditionally govern playing intensities, comprising a regulatorpneumatic havingr free pneumatic conm'nmication `with said. source andauxiliary `pneumatic means mounted exteriorly of said regulatorpneumatic to control the effective operation thereof.

13. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics to thereby govern playing intensities;means to govern the pressure applied to said governing means to therebyadditionally govern playing intensities comprising a regulatori'meumatic having free pneumatic communication with said `source ofpower, and auxiliary pneumatic means mounted exteriorly of saidregulator pneumatic having tracker controlled pneumatic communicationwith said source oit flmwer and adapted to control the eilectivcoperation of said regulator pneumatic.

14. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource oit pneumatic power, in combination, means lo govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics to thereby govern playing intensities;means to govern the pressure applied to said governing means to therebyadditionally govern playing intensities, comprising a regulatorpneumatic having pneumatic communication with source oi' power, meanscontrolled by said pm-umatic to admit atmospheric air to said source otpowerr` and auxiliary means having tracker' controlled communicationwith said source of power to vary effective operation ol' said regulatorpneumatic. f

l5. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics to thereby govern playing intenaLacasse sitios; means to govern the pressure applied power, andauxiliary pneumatic me s mounted extcriorly ol said regulator pmatic tocontrol the effective thereo't.

16. ln an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics| and asource of pneumatic power, in combination`r` means to I govern thepressure applied to saidplayer pneumatics to thereby govern playingintensities; means to jgoveru tlie pressure applied to said governingmeans to thereby additionally govern playing intensities, comprising aregulator pnemnatichavingv a lined leat and a movable leaf, saidpneumatic havingI pneumatic communication with said source ol power,means controlled b ysaid pneumatic to admit atn'iospheric air to saidsource of power, connections l l means rwtween said and the movable leafoit said pneumatic, and means to vary the operative relationshiptherebetween.

17. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneuniatics and asource oii pneumatic power, in combination, means to govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics to thereby govern playinglintensities; means to govern the pressure produced by said source otpower to thereby additionally govern playing intensities, coinprising aregulator pneumz'ltic havin g a lined leaf and a. movable leat, saidpneumatic having pneumatic communication with said source oiI power,n'ieans controlled by said pneumatic to admit atmospheric air to saidsource ot power, connections between said means and the movable leale otsaid pneumatic including auxiliary pueumatics, and tracker controlledmeans 'to vary the operation oit said auxiliary pneumatics to therebyvary the operative relationship therebetween.

itl. lnan automatic musical instrument havingV player pneumatic." and asource oit pneumatic power, in combination. means to govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatica to thereby govern play intensitios;means to igovern tle pres-@sure produced by said i .urce ot' power tothereby ad itionally govern playD ug intensities, comprisiru;` aregpilator pneumatic having a lived leait and a movable leal, said'pneumatic having` pneumatic communication with said source oit power,means controlled by said pneumatic to admit atmospheric air to saidsource oit power, connections between said means and the movable leat'oit said pneumatic including a plurality of pneumatics, and. means tocontrol the operation o;t said last named pneumatics to vary theoperative relationship therebetween.

lf). ln an automaticV musical instrument, in combination, a source ofpneumatic power includingw enhauster pneumatica andan eX- haust chamber;means to pgoif'ern the pressure 'irodnced by said source o' power tothereby govern playing intensities comprising); a connnunication withsaid exhaust chamber; means control led by said pneumatic to admitatmospheric air to said exhaust chamber; and means to vary theeiliective operation ot said pneumatic.

E20. ln an automatic musical instrument, in coiiiliiinatioina source otpneumatic power including; exliauster pneu-.matics and an eX-i haastchamber; means to govern the pressure produced by said source of powerto thereby p'ovcrn playin( intensities comprising a regulatorpneumatichaving a iXed lear' and a movable leat, said pneumatic having*pneumatic communication with said ei;- liaust chamber; Y ans` controlledby said pneumatic to admit atmospheric air to said exhaust chamber;connections betweensaid means and tlieniovable leaf ot said. pneumatic;and means to vary the operative` relationship therebetween.

2l. ln an automatic musical instrument7 in combination, a source ofpneumatic power including exliauster pneumatics and an exhaust chamber;means to govern thepressure produced by said source of powerto therebygovern playing' intensities, comprising a regulator pneumatic having` aiixed leaf and movable leali; means controlled by said pneumatic toadmit atmospheric air to said exhaust chamber; connections between saidmeans and the movable leaf ot said pneumatic incliulingr a pluralityoi'' pneuiiiatics: and means to control the operation oit said lastnamed pneuinatics to vary the operative relationship therebetween.

22. la an automatic musical instrument having player pneumaticsand avsource ot pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale ot playing intensities: means to maintain the pressureat-aiiy given incremental level whether one or many notes are sounded;and means to `vary the pres,-Y

surc produced by said source of power by perceptible increments totherebyV vary the established. scale ot playing intensities.`

23. ln an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatica*andarsource ot pneumatic power, in combination, means lo vary byperceptible increments the pressure applied to said player pneuinaticsto thereby establish a scale of playing` intensities; means to maintainthe pressure at any given incremental level whether one or many notesregulator pneumatic having pneumatic Y Lacasse are sounded; and trackercontrolled means to vary the pressure produced by said source of powerby perceptible increments to thereby vary the established scale ofplaying intensities.

24. In an automatic musical instrument havingplayer pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities; moans to maintain the pressureat any given incremental level Whether one or many notes are sounded;means to vary the pressure produced by said source of power byperceptible increments; and means to maintain said pressure at any givenincremental level.

25. In. an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power', in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities; means to maintain the pressureat any given incremental level whether one or many notes are sounded;tracker controlled means `to vary the pressure produced by said sourceof power by perceptible increments; and means to maintain said pressureat any given incremental level.

26. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perce )tibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities; means to maintain the pressureat any given incremental level whether one or many notes are sounded;means to vary by substantially continuous progression the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics; and means to vary the pressureproduced by said source of power by perceptible increments to therebyvary the established scale of playing intensities.

27.- In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combina-tion, means to vary by perce tibleincrements the pressure applied to sai player pneumatics to therebyestablish ya scale of playing intensities; means to maintain thepressure at any given incremental level whether one or many notes aresounded; means to vary by substantially continuous progression thepressure applied to said player pneumatics; and tracker controlled meansto vary the ressure produced by said source of power y perceptibleincrements to thereby var,r the established scale of playingintensities.

28. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perce tibleincrements the pressure applied to sail, player pneumatica to therebyestablish a` scale of playing intensities; means to maintain thepressure at any given incremental level whether one or many notes aresounded; means to vary by substantially continuous progression thepressure applied to said player pneumatics; and means to vary thepressure produced by said source of power to thereby vary the speed atwhich said continuous progression variations take place.

29. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities; means to maintain the pressureat any given incremental level whether one or many notes are sounded;means to vary by substantially continuous progression the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics; means to vary the pressure producedby said source of power by perceptible increments; and means to maintainsaid pressure at any given 1ncremental level.

30. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player' pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities; means to maintain the pressureat any given incremental level whether one or many notes are sounded;means to vary by substantially continuous progression the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics; and tracker controlled means to varythe pressure produced by said source of power by perceptible increments;and means to maintain said pressure at any given incremental level.

3l. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities, including a high exhaustchest, a regulated exhaust chest, and a throttle valve there' between;and variable pressure means actving directly and pneumatically on saidthrottle valve and operating independently of the pressure of regulatedexhaust to thereby vary the established scale of playing i11- tensities.

In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and a sourceof pneumatic power, in combination, means toy vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities, including a high exhaustchest, a regulated exhaust chest, anda throttle valve therebetween; andtracker controlled variable pressure means operating independently ofthe pressure 0f .regulated exhaust acting on v said throttle valve to'thereby vary the established scale oi playing intensities,

33. ln an automatic musical instrument havingl player pneumatics and asource ot pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied to said player pneumatics totherebyestablish a scale playing intensities, includ ing' a high exhaust chest,a regulated exu haust chest, and a throttle valve therebetween; andmeans to vary by perceptible increments the pressure in said highexhaust chest acting on said throttle valve.

Si. ln an ainomatic musical instrument havingl player pneui'natics and asource ot pneumatic power, in combination, means to vary by perceptibleincren'ients the pressure applied to said player pneumatics 'to therebyestablish a scale ot playing' intensities, in-

cluding a high exhaust chest, a regulated exhaust chest, and a throttlevalve there between; and tracker controlled means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure in said high exhaust chest acting on saidthrottle valve.

35. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics andasource of pneumatic power, in combination., means to vary by perceptibleincrements the pressure applied t0 said player pneumatics to therebyestablish a scale of playing intensities, including,` a hieh ef-haustchest, a regulated exhaust chest, and a throttle valve therebetween;means to vary by perceptible increments the pressure in said highexhaust chest acting` on said throttle valve; and regulator means tomaintain the pressure in said high exhaust chest at any givenincremental level.

3G. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumaticsand asource oi pneumatic power, in combinatiommeans to variably govern thepressure applied tosaid player pneumatics to thereby establish playing`intensities, includinga. high exhaust chest, a regulated exhaust chest,and a throttle valve therebetween; and variable pressure means :uiting`directly and pneumatically on said throttle valve operatingindependently Fit! of the pressure ot regulated exhaust to thereby varyadditionally the established scale ot playing intensities.

3T. ln an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in combination, means to `govern the pressureapplied to said player pneumatics to thereby govern.playingintensities,including a high exhaust chest, a regulated exhaust chest, and athrottle valve therebetween; and tracker controlled means to vary thepressure applied to said high exhaust chest to additionally vary playingintensities.

38. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource ot' Lacasse pneumatic power,I in combiiuitiou, Ameaiis to governthe pressure applied to said player pneumatics to thereby govern playingintensities including a high exhaust chest. a resgulated exhaust chest;and a throttle vafve therebetween; means to govern the pressure appliedto said high exhaust chest lo ad ditionally govern playing` intensities,couiprising;` regulator means to maintain said pressure at asubstantially constant level., and. means to vary the action ot saidregulator to cause it to maintain di'lierent degrees of pressure in saidchest.

39. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource otl pneumatic power, in con'ihination, means to govern thepressure applied to said player pneumatics to thereby governplayingintensities, includinga high exhaust chest, a regulatedexhaustchest, and a. lthrottle v: lve therebetween; means rto govern thepressure applied to said high er;- haust chest to additionally governplayingintensities, comprisingV regulator means to maintain saidpressure at a. substantially constant level, and auxiliary pneumaticmeans having; communication with high eX- haust to vary the action ofsaid regulator to cause it to maintain ditlerent degrees ot pressure insaid chest.. y

40. ln an automatic musical instrument having;` player pneumatics and asource o'j pneumatic power, in combination, means by said source otpower to regulate the pressure applied to said player pneumatics tomaintain the pressure at a substantially constant level whether one ormany notes are sounded; and means to vary the pressure applied to saidregulator means by perceptible increments.

ln an automatic musical instrument having; player pneumatics and asource ot' pneumatic power, in combination; means to regulate thepressure applied to said player pneumatics to maintain the pressure at asubstantially constant level whether one or many notes are sounded; andtracker controlled means to vary the pressure applied to said regulatormeans by said source OtV power by perceptible in frements.

42. ln an automatic musical instrlunent having' player pneumatics and asource of pneumatic power, in' combination` means by said source oitpower to regulate the pressure applied to said player pneumatica tomalin tain the pressure at a substzfmtially constant level whether oneor many notes are sounded: means toL vary the pressure applied to saidregulator means by perceptible incren'ients: and means to maintain thepressure applied at any given incremental level.

473. in an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatica and asource ot pneumatic power, in combination, means to regulate thepressure applied to said player pneumatics to maintain the pressin'e ata, substantially consta nt level whether one or many notes are sounded;and tracker controlled means to vary the pressure applied to saidregulator means by said source ot power by perceptible increments; andmeans to maintain the pressure applied at any given incremental level.

44. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource ot pneumatic power, in combination, means to regulate thepressure,applied to d player pneumatics including a valve acted on byopposed balanced pneumatic forces acting both directly on said valve andindirectly on said valve, through a regulator pneumatic; means to varythe pneumatic torce act-ing directly on said valve by perceptible.increments to thereby vary the pressure applied to said playerpneumatics, and means to maintain said pneumatic force substantiallyconstant at any given incremental level.

45. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource ot pneumatic power, in combination, means to regulate thepressure applied to said player pneumatics including a valve acted on byopposed balanced pneumatic forces acting both directly on said valve andindirectly on said valve through a regulator pneumatic; trackercontrolled means to vary he pneumatic force acting directly on saidvalve by perceptible increments to thereby vary the pressure applied tosaid player pncumatics, and means to main-tain said pneumatic iforcesubstantially constant at any given incremental level.

46. In an automatic musical instrument having player pneumatics and asource oi' pneumatic power, in combination, a valve; a chamber in whichpressures are governed thereby; a. chamber communicating vvith saidlast-named chamber in which pressures are unaffected by said valve, butin which said pressures affect the operation et said valve; and meansfor varying pressures within the latter chamber by perceptibleincrements to thereby vary pressures in first-named chamber.

47. Expression devices for automatic musical instruments, comprising incombination, a. tracker; tracker controlled means for establishing anormal. scale oit playing iutensities; and tracker controlled means itoraltering by pre-established increments each intensity of the normalscale.

48. Expression devicesI tor automatic mii-- sical instruments,comprising, in combination, a t 'acker; tracker controlled means forestablishing a` normal. scale o1 playing intensities; and trackercontrolled means for altering by al pre-established amount theconditions under which said normal scale is established to thereby causethe establishment of a scale the respective intensities otestablishment; and means for altering the by alter the entire scale ofplaying intensi.-

yreturn said means to position for normal opwhich. are cach dilercnt'from those ol the lirst scale.

45). In an automatic musical instrument having the usual playerpneumatics and source oi pneumatic power, in combinatimi. a regulatedexhaust chest communicating Awith said player pneumatic; a high exhaustchest communicating with said source ot power; means for selectivelyestablishing in said regulated exhaust chest a series ot' ressures whichwill establish a` scale ot' playing intensities, in which the pressurein said high exhaust chest constitutes a factor in such establishment;and means for selectively establishing various degrees of pressure insaid high exhaust chest to thereby establish different scales of playingintensities.

50. In an automatic musical instrument having the usual playerpneumatics and source of pneumatic power, in combination, a regulatedexhaust chest communicating with said player pneumatic; ahigh exhaustchest communicating with said source ot' power; means for selectivelyestablishing in said regulated exhaust chest a series of'pressureswhichv will establish a scale oi playing intensities in which thepressure in said high exhaust chest constitutes a factor in suchpressure in said high exhaust chest to thereties.

51. Expression controlling devices for automatic musical instrumentsincluding a tracker, a pair of pneumatics having connections to openingsin said tracker, and means whereby one of said pneumatics is subjectedto exhaust and one is open to atmosphere when the controlling openingsot' the tracker are closed.

52. Expression controlling devices for automatic musical instrumentsincluding means to govern playing intensities, and means to govern pumppressures `to thereby additionally govern playing intensities, trackercontrolled valve means to control the operation of said means includinga plurality of valve means to set said means 'for different conditionsot operation other than normal, and a single tracker controlled valvemeans to eration.

53. l'n an automatic musical instrument a source ofi pneumatic power,eomprisind, in combination, an exhaust chamber, and a chamber open toatmosphere, means to withdraw air from said exhaust chamber and to spillthe air withdrawn to said Open chamber. and means whereby air may passfrom said open chamber to said exhaust chamber to thereby govern thepressure therein.

54. In an automatic musical instrument a source of pneumatic power,comprising. in combination, an exhaust chamber, and a chamber open toatmosphere, means to wit-hdraw air from said exhaust chamber and, tospill the air withdrawn to said operi chamber, means whereby air maypass from said open chamber to said exi'iaust chairibera and meanswhereby the pressure in said. exi'iaust chamber regulates the Howbetween said chambers.

n an automatic musical instrument a source of pneumatic power,comprising, in combination, ari exhaust chai'uber, and a chamber open toatn'iosphere, iriearis to withdraw air from said exhaust chamber and tospill the ar withdrawn to said operi chamber, means whereby air may passfrom said open chamber to said exhaust ei'iairiber, a valve forgoverningv the iiow of air thereberiseaeea tween, means operated by theexi'iaust in said exhaust chamber for controlling saint valve, and means'or Varying the operation osaid means. Y

5G. In an automatic musical instrument a source of pneumatic power,comprising, ia combination, au exhaust chamber and a chamber open toatmosphere, bellows means to withdraw air from said exhaust chamber at asubstantially constant rate, and means whereby air may pass from saidopen chamber to said exhaust chamber at varying rates.

In *.estiiriony whereof, I have signed my ame to this speciiication this7th day of March 1924.

CHARLES F. STODDRD.

